Update: Rice County is now included in the Blizzard Warning.

The Blizzard Warning has been expanded northeastward to include the Le Center, Waseca, Faribault, and Albert Lea areas and it continues from Mankato to the south and west, including Fairmont and St. James. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the rest of south central Minnesota and most of east central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin, including most of the Twin Cities metro.

Heavy snow has developed across south central and east central Minnesota into western Wisconsin. Total snowfall amounts of 8 to 15 inches are likely by late this evening in the warning areas, with amounts rapidly tapering off near the western edge. Strong winds with gusts up to 40 MPH during the heavy snow will lead to blizzard conditions across much of southern Minnesota.

Travel conditions are deteriorating rapidly as is not advised in some areas. Farther northeast, winds will be in the 20 to 30 MPH range and cause patchy blowing and drifting snow. A wintry mix with a period of freezing rain is also possible this morning from Albert Lea toward Eau Claire, resulting in minor ice accumulation. Driving conditions will deteriorate very rapidly while heading east on I-94 or south on I-35 toward the Twin Cities. Conditions may be drastically different in a span of only 10 to 15 miles.

Forecasted snowfalls for Monday 1/22, according to the National Weather Service (as of 11:25am on 1/22):

Faribault - Total daytime snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches possible. Another 1-2 inches overnight.

Owatonna - 6 to 8 inches

Rochester - 6 to 12 inches

Preston - 6 to 12 inches

A wintry mix with a period of freezing rain is also possible Monday morning from Albert Lea toward Eau Claire, resulting in light ice accumulation.

Be prepared for difficult driving conditions if you have travel plans across central or southern Minnesota and western and northern Wisconsin.

 

Keep checking back for further updates.
Red=Blizzard Warning
Pink=Winter Storm Warning
Blue=Winter Storm Watch

National Weather Service
National Weather Service
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